New College-Prep Website is Brainchild of 4-H Members

The future of 4-H is in capable hands, and that was never so well demonstrated than during National 4-H Conference where six Illinois 4-H members took an active role in providing input which will shape issues for youth across the country.

Illinois' delegates to National 4-H Conference included Ethan Heidrich of Kendall County, Thara Galbreth of Sangamon County, Jill Parrent of McLean County, Avni Patel of Lake County, Terry Perkins of Kendall County, and Marisa Zajac of DuPage County. They were joined by Erica Austin, University of Illinois Extension youth educator, and Debra Stocker, U of I Extension state youth development 4-H specialist.

National 4-H Conference is the premier civic engagement opportunity for 4-H teens who are actively engaged in 4-H programs. Delegates attend training workshops, become acquainted with government and have the opportunity to meet with state leaders.

"Intense round table discussions highlighted tough world problems, such as hunger and food security, college access, quality public schools, youth safety, and poverty," said Austin. Teams of 4-H members developed ideas which could make a difference for these world problems.

Some delegates met with federal employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and provided their insight on how to improve urban housing. "4-H members demonstrated ways 4-H could partner with HUD to make necessary improvements," Austin said. "It was pretty incredible to sit back and observe the federal employees be amazed by these 4-H youth."

Heidrich, Galbreth and their team developed practical ways the federal government could better prepare youth for college, including an "all-in-one" website for all college-prep information. The site would include links to the FAFSA, SAT and ACT websites; lists of majors; lists of scholarships; essay writing tips; and life skills training programs, Heidrich said. "This would make it much easier for high school students to find all of their college information on one website instead of a million different ones," Heidrich said.

"Being able to speak to the Department of Education showed me that when we take the initiative to speak up," Galbreth said, "others will listen."

Within 24 hours of presenting the idea to the Department of Education staff, the idea was presented to the Secretary of Education and a rapid response team was put in place to create policy recommendations based on the teens' suggestions, Heidrich said.

Parrent was among the first 4-H group to ever present directly to a congressional subcommittee during a congressional hearing. "After attending National 4-H Conference, I'm beginning to think I want to be an agricultural policy maker," Parrent said. "Clearly, this wouldn't have even been a thought without National 4-H Conference."

Patel's task force expressed concerns about the 2014 Promise Zone Initiative and suggested new cities which fit the Promise Zone criteria. Zajac had audience with the Department of Health and Human Services. "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that improved my leadership and speaking skills," Zajac said.

Perkins is completing his 11-year 4-H career this year. The 18-year-old said that as he reflects on his experiences, "4-H has given me opportunities I will not forget."

"These teens and this conference reminded me why I love 4-H youth development," Austin said. "Their excitement, growth and passion were contagious."

To learn more about 4-H in the community, one may contact Sabrina Huley, 4-H Program Coordinator huley@illinois.edu or Cindy Sarkady, Youth Development Educator 4-H csarkady@illinois.edu or call 847-223-8627.

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